Diddy trial live updates: Sex trafficking trial enters its final stages as witness testifies about ‘freak off’ messages – UK Times

Combs tried to hide planning for a “hotel night” from his staff, according to text messages between the music mogul and his ex-girlfriend “Jane.”

In one text to “Jane,” Combs asked her to find a hotel to set up a “freak off” and later asked her to let him know when the “coast [is] clear.”

Defense attorney Teny Geragos has brought up text messages between “Jane,” Comb’s ex-girlfriend, and “Sly,” a male entertainer, that were not included in the government’s initial chart.

In separate texts, “Jane” told a male sex worker she enjoyed their encounter, claimed she was “excited” to see him, and tried to set up a time for him to come over.

After a brief bathroom break, the jury is back in the courtroom and Cerciello is on the stand. Defense attorneys are resuming cross-examination.

Before the jury enters the courtroom, lawyers for Combs and the government have been arguing about text messages the defense wants to submit into evidence.

The text messages, between Combs and Cassie Ventura, would support the defense’s argument that Ventura was not coerced into “freak offs.”

However, the government is attempting to exclude those from being presented as evidence, claiming they are irrelevant to the case.

Just days after the U.S. and Iran exchanged strikes, a new report states that Sean “Diddy” Combs’s defense team could refer to the tensions in the Middle East during its closing argument later this week.

Good morning and welcome back to The Independent’s live coverage of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex-trafficking trial in New York City.

Defense attorneys are expected to continue cross-examination of Special Agent Joseph Cerciello today. Once they’re done, prosecutors will conduct re-direct and Cerciello will be off the stand.

Special agent Joseph Cerciello’s testimony continued on Monday with prosecutors showing jurors a chart that combined flight, hotel and payment records with messages between Combs, his ex-girlfriend, his staff, and a male escort company.

Cerciello testified that Combs sent messages to his staff demanding items for “freak off” such as baby oil, Astroglide, coconut water, vegetable soup, and more. Combs also texted agents at the male escort company asking for lower rates.

Cerciello also testified that “Jane” sent messages saying she did not want to participate in a “freak off” because it made her feel “used.”

Defense attorneys began cross-examination of Cerciello and showed jurors text messages where “Jane” appeared to want to participate in “freak offs” and even messaged with male escorts.

Court has been adjourned for the day and cross-examination of Special Agent Joseph Cerciello is expected to continue tomorrow.

Defense lawyer Teny Geragos said there’s roughly an hour and some left of cross-examination.

Closing arguments are likely to begin Thursday.

Defense attorney Teny Geragos is having Special Agent Cerciello review text messages that the prosecution did not include in its chart, where “Jane” shows a desire to be with Combs.

In one text message from 2021, “Jane” told Combs she couldn’t wait to hook up with him, calling Combs her “favorite person.”

In other messages, she told Combs she missed him and used explicit language to express her desire to be with him.

After a break for lunch, the jury is back in the courtroom and defense attorneys are beginning cross-examination of Special Agent Cerciello.